Benefits QuickLINK: New Online Tool for Grandfamilies
Raising children takes a lot of money. Any parent can tell you that. Grandparents who are raising their grandchildren in “grandfamilies” have an even harder time making ends meet. The same holds true for relatives like aunts and uncles who are raising others’ children.
There is good news, though. Many government programs could help some grandfamilies pay their bills. These are called “public benefits” programs. Some programs could help grandfamilies pay for food and electricity. Other programs could help these families pay other monthly expenses. Some programs could provide you with health insurance and help you pay the premiums.
Do these programs come as a surprise to you? You’re not alone. Many grandparents do not know about public benefits programs or how to apply for help. Have you tried to get help and had no luck? Join the club. Sometimes, grandparents get the wrong information when they ask about programs that could help them raise their grandchildren.
The AARP Foundation wants to help families like yours. The Foundation’s Benefits Outreach Program has a new online tool. It’s called Benefits QuickLINK. This tool can help adults who are 50+ find out if they or the children in their care qualify for any of the 15 benefits included in the tool.
Benefits QuickLINK is free. It is easy to use. And it is fast. It will take you only 20 minutes to use the tool. This could be the most important 20 minutes you’ve ever spent on a computer! The tool could connect you with the help you need to raise your grandchildren.
You can use Benefits QuickLINK on any computer connected to the Internet. First, log on to www.aarp.org/quicklink. Then, answer a few simple questions. Benefits QuickLINK will give you information about each public benefit for which you or your children or grandchildren may qualify. You may be able to download an application for a program right on the spot. You might also be able to apply for benefits online.
Benefits for Adults
Visit Benefits QuickLINK (www.aarp.org/quicklink) to see if you qualify for any of these 10 benefits programs. All of these programs help older people who have a limited income.
- Medicare Savings Programs—Helps cover Medicare costs.
- Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage—Helps pay for prescription drugs.
- Medicare Rx Extra Help—Helps cover the costs of Medicare drug coverage.
- State Prescription Drug Assistance Programs—Helps pay for prescription drugs.
- Medicaid for Aged, Blind, and Disabled—Provides health insurance to older people and people with disabilities.
- Food Stamp Program—Helps to pay food bills.
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) —Helps to pay heating and cooling bills.
- State Property Tax Relief/Rebates—Reduces property tax bills.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) —Provides a monthly income to people who have little money and don’t own many things.
- Telephone Assistance (Link-Up and Lifeline) —Offers discounts for telephone service.
Benefits for Children
Benefit QuickLINK also has a special section that focuses on benefits for, or related to children. Visit this section to find out whether the children you are raising will qualify for benefits from these five programs.
- Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) —Provides tax credits to workers with low incomes who are raising children.
- Medicaid for Children—Provides health insurance for children.
- State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP—Offers medical and dental health insurance to children under 18.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for Children—Provides a monthly income to children under 18 if they are blind or have a serious disability.
- TANF Child-Only Grant—Provides assistance to children with low incomes.
Spread the Word about QuickLINK
The AARP Foundation is working hard to spread the word about Benefits QuickLINK. Can you help? Contact the Benefits Outreach Program at benefitsoutreach@aarp.org or the Grandparent Information Center (GIC) at gic@aarp.org.
AARP Resources
Benefits QuickLINK
Find out if you or someone you care about is eligible for key public benefit programs.
Public Benefits Programs That Help Grandparents
Read about some of the key public benefits that can help eligible grandfamilies.
Guide to Public Benefits
This online guide describes a range of state and federal programs that can help grandfamilies make ends meet. It also tells you where to go for more information.
Finding Health Insurance for Grandchildren
This article has information about children’s health insurance options for low income grandfamilies.
Low Income Help
Find out about public and private programs that can help people with low or limited incomes live more comfortably.
State-by-State, Plan-by-Plan List of Pharmacy Assistance Programs
The AARP Bulletin gives details on every state pharmacy assistance program. If your state has a program, you’ll find it here.
Tax Aide
AARP’s Tax Aide program may be able to help you file your taxes.
Daily Money Management
This program offers daily money management service to help low-income older or people with disabilities.
Reverse Mortgages
Learn how a reverse mortgage works. Find out if it may be a good option for you or a loved one.
Free Publications from AARP
Order free publications that can help you understand more about public benefits and the various options available.
Additional Resources
Medicare Savings Programs
Read this brochure to see if you qualify for help with Medicare expenses.
Prescription Drug Coverage
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid tells you everything you wanted to know about prescription drug coverage and how to get extra help to pay for it.
Food Stamp Program
Learn about food stamps and use an online tool to see if you qualify.
LIHEAP Brochure
This brochure describes the Low Income Energy Assistance Program and provides links to an office in your state where you can apply for help.
Supplemental Security Income
This 12-page booklet explains Supplemental Security Income, the rules for receiving this benefit, and how to apply.
Lifeline Link-Up Consumers Page
Learn how to get discounts on your telephone service.
Insure Kids Now
Learn more about health insurance for infants, children and teens in your state.
Earned Income Tax Credit
The Internal Revenue Services answers questions about the Earned Income Tax Credit.
Books
Find these books online at Barnes & Noble:“Living on Angel Hair Pasta: How You CAN Live on a Thinner-Than-A-Shoestring Budget”
Joy Eclaine, Imagine Books, June 2006
“Pay It Down: From Debt to Wealth on $10 a Day”
Jean Chatzky, Penguin Group, 2004
“The Don't Sweat Guide to Your Finances”
Editors of Don't Sweat Press, Hyperion, April 2004
“New Families, New Finances: Money Skills for Today's Nontraditional Families”
Emily W. Card and Christie Watts Kelly, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., April 1998
